Driver Had Heroin Needle in Leg When He Nearly Hit 2 Cars, Police Say

A 26-year-old Phoenixville man was arrested in the borough last month after police say they found a hypodermic needle sticking out of his leg when the man was pulled over for erratic driving.

On March 23 at 3:32 p.m., a Schuylkill Police officer was dispatched to Route 23 for a report of a green Chevy Impala that had nearly struck two separate vehicles head on, according to court documents. Police say one near miss came west of Valley Park Road and the second in the area of Moorehall Drive.

Police located and pulled the vehicle over near the intersection of 23 and Starr Street. When the officer spoke to the driver, he noticed he was sweating and his eyes were bulging, according to court documents. The officer then saw a hypodermic needle sticking out of the man’s right inner thigh, police say.

According to court documents, the officer removed the needle and searched the man. Police say the officer found empty blue wax paper packets in the man’s pockets—consistent with suspected heroin use. The officer also discovered a sunglasses case on the car's floor that contained a spoon and suspected heroin residue, police say.

The defendant was arrested and taken to Phoenixville Hospital to have blood drawn for testing. He was then transported to the Schuylkill Police station and released to a friend.

The defendant was charged with four counts of DUI, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving, and failure to keep right. He faces preliminary hearing on May 2.